Necessary Secrets
By Danielle
Disclaimers: I don't own the Roswell Crew. They belong to Jason Katims, etc.
Author's Notes: A fic to say screw destiny! M/M & A/I should be together- whatever the cost.
"You know what? I think that from now on it has to just be the 4 of us. No more letting the humans in. They've pulled away and all I can say is, who needs them?"
Isabel stood in awe of her brother. She couldn't believe these words were coming out of his mouth. "But, Max... they've helped us through everything. We can't just completely bail on them now. I mean, they still know our secret."
"I don't care Isabel. They won't tell, they've proven that in the past. But now that we know our destiny, how can we go back to hanging out with them as if things were normal?"
Tess stood next to Max, holding his hand. "He's right. We have each other now- that's all we need. No more humans."
Michael walked away from the cave wall to stand next to Isabel. "Don't you think you're being a little drastic, Max? I mean, just because Liz pulled away from you doesn't mean..."
"It's not about that Michael. It's about the fact that we have a mission to complete. People's lives depend on it. And if that means sacrificing our human relationships, then so be it."
"But, Max, we can't-"
"Isabel, I don't want to hear it! It's my decision. I'm in charge. And I say no humans. So from now on you two will stay away from Alex and Maria. Do you hear me?"
Michael made a mock salute at Max. "Sir, yessir! Whatever you say sir!"
Max shot him a glare, then turned, and pulling Tess with him, left the cave. "I'll see you at home, Iz," he tossed over his shoulder as an afterthought.
Isabel and Michael watched the other 2 members of the pod squad leave. "I can't believe he's being like this," Isabel grumbled.
"I know. I mean we're the ones who told Maria and Alex that we needed space in the first place. He was planning to stay with Liz until she backed off. Who is he to tell us who we can and can't see? You think that if Liz told him she still wanted to be with him, he wouldn't go crawling back?"
"He definitely would. He's being such a hypocrite. And the great and powerful leader crap is already old. He's just lashing out and telling us what to do because he's mad that he can't control his relationship with Liz."
"So instead he tries to control us and our relationships."
Grinding her teeth together and folding her arms across her chest, Isabel took a stand. "Well I for one am not going to let him."
"Well me neither! He's not my boss; he's my friend. Or at least he was." Michael sat down on a rock. "What do we do?"
A thought struck, and Isabel grinned. "Well, Michael, you know what they say."
"Know what who says?"
She chuckled to herself. "What Max doesn't know can't hurt him."
Michael picked his head up to see her devious smile and he formed one of his own. "Isabel, you are good."
"I know. C'mon, let's get out of here."
~~~~~
The next day, Max and Tess walked down the hall hand in hand, followed by Michael and Isabel, who though holding hands, looked decidedly miserable about it. Their facial expressions changed however as soon as Max turned to speak to them.
"Maria and Alex are coming down the hall. I thought I'd warn you in case they tried to talk to you."
Isabel smiled. "Thanks for the warning, Max."
"Yeah, they need to know we're together now," added Michael.
"Good. Tess and I will be waiting over by my locker." With that he walked away, taking his little Tess-puppy with him.
Michael whispered to Isabel out of the corner of his mouth. "We better make this good."
"I know." She whispered back. "Game on."
Maria and Alex paused mid-hall as they spotted Isabel and Michael. Noting the handholding, Maria lashed out. "Oh, so what? You two are together now? You tell me you love me one minute and the next you're holding her hand in the hall?"
"That's right, Maria. It's over. Isabel and I are a couple now." Michael responded, attempting to remain calm.
"Oh yeah? A couple of what?" asked Alex.
"Oh Alex, get over yourself. How long did you think you could hold on to me? I mean, look at you. Consider yourself lucky that I stooped so low."
Maria fumed at Isabel's insulting of Alex. "Watch yourself, princess. Alex is twice the person you two are put together, and I for one am glad to be rid of the both of you."
"Oh really, Maria? If you're so over Michael, then this shouldn't bother you at all." Isabel turned to Michael and pressed a passionate kiss to his lips, winding her arms around his neck. As she pulled away she looked at Alex and Maria to gauge their reactions.
Alex looked deflated and simply walked away. Maria on the other hand looked none too pleased. After shooting Isabel a death glare, she stepped forward, reached back, and slapped Michael across the face. "That's for using me. Bastard." As she stalked off, Michael and Isabel were left alone in the hall with Max and Tess.
Max actually started clapping. "That was great guys. I don't think they'll bother you again."
Tess concurred. "Yeah. How's your cheek Michael?"
"It's fine." He answered tersely.
Isabel looked to her brother. "Well, we did our part Max. Are you happy now? They probably hate us."
"They'll get over it. Come on, Tess, we have class." They walked away, glad that their human troubles were over.
"I'm not sure about Max, but I highly doubt Tess has any class at all," Isabel quipped.
"I just hope we didn't do any permanent damage," Michael responded.
~~~~~
As Max dropped Isabel and Michael off at Michael's apartment later that day, he smiled at his sister and best friend. "I'm proud of you two, you know. I know I forced you into it, but you did really well today. I'm glad you're seeing things from my perspective."
"Yeah, sure, no problem. Are we dismissed?" Michael looked anxious and miserable at the same time.
Isabel elbowed him in the ribs. "Thanks Max, but can we go? We want to spend a little quality time alone, if you know what I mean?"
"Oh. I gotcha. Well, I'll see you later Isabel, and I'll see you tomorrow Michael."
"Bye," they both said in unison, waving to Max and Tess as they drove off.
The Jeep had no sooner pulled off around the corner then Michael and Isabel made a mad dash for the stairs to his apartment. Isabel started to berate Michael as they ran. "Are you crazy? You have to at least make it seem like you're happy to be with me, otherwise he'll get suspicious."
"I'm sorry, but all that crap about I'm so proud of you was getting to me."
As they reached the door, Michael jammed his hand into his pocket for his keys. "Hurry up!" Isabel urged as Michael slid the correct key into the lock. The door opened to reveal an impatient couple awaiting their arrival.
"What the hell took you so long?" asked Maria from the couch.
"Sorry, but Max was being an ass and we couldn't get away." Isabel walked over to Alex, seated in the armchair, and sat down on his lap. "I am so sorry about what I said to you. You know I didn't mean a word of it."
Alex nodded. "I know. But it still hurt to hear it, you know. It was like my worst fear played out in front of my face."
"I know. What the hell was up with that kiss- that so was not what we rehearsed," Maria added as she stood and walked into Michael's waiting arms.
"Talk to Isabel. That one was NOT my idea."
Maria looked over to the other blond for an explanation. "What was I supposed to do? They weren't buying it. I had to! And believe me it wasn't pleasant."
"Hey!" Michael was indignant.
Maria tried to soothe his ego. "Oh, honey, I think your kisses are very pleasant!"
"I'm not happy with you either. My face still hurts!"
"Sorry. But you wanted believable. I'll make it up to you."
"Oh yeah? How?"
Maria smiled and took his hand, leading him toward the bedroom. "You know how."
Smiling, Michael looked at Izzy and Alex. "Bye guys. The couch pulls out if you need it." He winked and followed Maria into the room, closing the door behind them.
Isabel turned back to Alex, who still looked upset. "I still don't like hiding like this. Why don't you guys just tell Max off?"
"We can't Alex. He's out leader now, not just my brother. He'd wig out and then Tess would tell Nasedo and it's be all over."
"I just feel so cheap, lying like this. And you really didn't have to kiss Michael so hard. You looked like you liked it."
"I really am sorry for this afternoon. I swear it was all a show."
"Fine. But are you sure this is all necessary?" Rolling her eyes, Isabel leaned over and kissed Alex so hard, he though his brain would explode from excitement.
"You want me to still be able to do that, don't you?"
Regaining his composure he nodded. "Oh yeah." He pulled her tighter against him, and leaning in for another kiss, added, "I guess with you in my life there are always going to be necessary secrets." Smiling, they got back to the business of staying together in a world that wanted them apart.
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